Football Australia said on Wednesday it looked forward to Sam Kerr‘s return to the pitch after the national women’s captain was found not guilty of racial abuse but the episode has left a sour taste for some Australian fans and pundits.
Kerr was acquitted by a jury at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday two years after calling a British police officer “stupid and white” after a drunken dispute with a cab driver.
Kerr’s lawyer told the court that her words were a comment on power and privilege from a woman with Indian ancestry who thought police were treating her differently based on the colour of her skin.
One of the world’s top strikers in women’s football and a totemic captain of Australia‘s Matildas, the Chelsea forward’s acquittal was hailed by home fans on social media and welcomed by the sport’s national governing body.
“Throughout this period, Football Australia (FA) has remained committed to supporting Sam and will continue to do so as she focuses on her footballing career, rehabilitation from injury and return to play,” FA said in a statement.
FA’s support is understandable, being rooted in Kerr’s immense contribution to Australian soccer,…
